Two Vol hoop home games eagerly anticipated

Tennessee’s basketball schedule hasn’t been released yet, but the Vols’ non-conference home schedule is already being eagerly anticipated.

Xavier released its non-conference schedule on Friday, and the Musketeers will play in Knoxville on Dec. 29. The two teams haven’t played since 2007, when both were ranked (Tennessee No. 12, Xavier No. 24). That game, played in Cincinnati at the Cintas Center, was won by the Vols behind 23 points from J.P. Prince.

Tennessee will play host to Memphis for what could be the last time in a while on Jan. 4, 2013. Tiger coach Josh Pastner isn’t keen on continuing the series, especially after moving to the Big East from Conference USA for the 2013-14 season.

CBSsports.com basketball writer Jeff Goodman has ranked both Tennessee home games among his top 54 non-conference games of the 2012-13 season.

The Vols will have their hands full in the non-conference portion of their schedule. They also play Wichita State, which earned a No. 5 seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament but lost five seniors, and travel to play Georgetown in the Big East/SEC Challenge on Nov. 30 and Virginia.

Tennessee will also take part in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Nov. 15-18. The bracket hasn't been announced yet, but other teams include preseason Top 25 NC State, Akron, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Providence, UMass and UNC Asheville.